Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-20

81 do unless you can EatlSlNWAhJ
explain the part have played this
evening. And also make IL clear TO me
that you have a right to the possession
of the papers"
"Confound il IL l must do so to-
night, i must he said reluctantly.
g trust to your honor, sir, to keep the
exclamation secret / bowed and he
resumed. "My elder brother and L
are in business together. Lately we
have had losses which have crippled us
So severely that we decided to disclose
them to Sir Charles and ask his help.
George did so yesterday by letter, CIV
ing certain notes of our liabilities.
You ask why he did not make such
statement by word Of mouth ? Because
he had TO go 10 Liverpool at moments
notice TO make last effort to arrange
the matter. And as for me-" with q
curious grimace, "my father would as
soon discuss business with his dog
Sooner
"Well? ?" said. He had paused,
ard IVES absently Ticking the blossoms
off the ceraniums in the fireplace with
bis INTERCHANGEABLE, looking mood
iIy at his work the while. cannot re-
member noticing the handkerchief, yet
seem to be able to see it now. 1t had
a red border, and was heavily scented
with whiterose. Well?"
"Well," he continued, with visible
effort, "my father has been ailing
lately, and this morning his usual
doctar made him see Bristowe. He is
an authority on heart disease, as You
doubtless know; and his opinion is"
be added in lower voice and with
some emotion, "that even slight
shock may prove fatal.
began to feel hot and uncomfort-
able. What was / to think? The
packet was becoming as lead in my
pocket.
"Of course" he resumed more
briskly, "that threw our difficulties
into the shade at once and my first
impulse was to get these papers from
him. Don't you see that? All day i
have been trying in vain to effect it.
took Barnes, who is an old servant,
PARTIALLY into my confidence, but we
could think of no plan. My father,
ike many people who have lost their
sight, is Jealous, and l was at my wits
end, when Barnes brought you up.
Your likeness" he added in parenthe-
sic, looking at me refectively, "to
George put the idea into his head, l
fancy? Yes, it must have been so.
When | heard you announced for a
moment 1 thought that you were
George"
"And You called up look of the
warmest welcome" ! put in dryly.
He colored, but answered almost i'm
mediately. II was afreid that he would
assume that the governor had read his
letter. and blurt ont something about
it. Good Lord if you knew the funk
in which / have been all the evening
lest my father should ask either of us
to read the letter." And he gathered
No his handkerchief with sigh of re-
lief and wiped his forehead.
II could see it very plainly / an
,wered, going slowly in my mind over
uhat he had told me. If the truth
must be confessed, / was in no slight
quandaIy what / should do or what !
,Eould lelieye. Was this really the
kcv 10 it all ? cared | doubt it !? or
hat that which / had constructed WAS
= mare 's-nest--the mere framework OF
a mare s.nest. For the life of Inc /
could rot tell
"Well, he said presently. LOOKING
rp with an offended air, :" is there any
ding else can explain, or will you
lave the kindness to return my pro-
pcity TO me now 2"
"Ihcre is one thing about which
| Should like TO ask a question, " | said.
Ash on" he replied and won
dercd whether there was not little too
much Of bravado in the tone OF suf-
fcrance he assumed.
"Why do YOU carry" ! went on,
raising my eyes to his, and pausing on
the word an instant, THAT little mend
cant-you know what | mean-in
your vaistcoat pocket, my friend?"
he percepiibly finched. 81 don't
oritc-quite understand, " he began to
stammer. Then he changed his tone
end went on lnpidly. mo. | will be
1ank with You, Mr-Alr. --"
George" ! said calmly.
"Ah. indeed?" triile surprised.
mir. George Wen, it is something
Br;stowe gave roe this morning to be
administered to my father-without hi:
knowledge, if possible-wheneyer he
crows excited. / did not think that
you had seen ii.
Nor hadI. / had only inferred it
presence. But having inferred rightly
1nce | was inclined to trust my IN
ference further. Moreover, while he
cave this explanation his breath came
and went so quickly that my former
suspicious returned. | was ready fol
him when he said, Now Iwilltroubi.
you. if you please, for those papers,
aud held out his hand.
Il cannot give them to you, re
pied, point blank. o.,
You cannot give them to me now 2
be repeated. ,
"No. Moreover, the packet is seal
ed. do not see, on second thought
what hahn can do you--now that 1t i
ont OF your fathers hands-by keeping
Il until tomorrow, when / will re
tuIn it TO your brother, from whom
came"
"He will not be in London, he an
.wored dOggedly. He stepped be
tween me and the door with looks whlcl
| did net like. At the same time | fel
hat some allowance must be made 10
ll.an treated in this way.
- am sorry," said, but ! canno
90 what YOU ask. 1 will do this, how
cvcr. ii you think the delay OF i'm
ycltfnce and will giveme your brother
'.Gdless in Liverpool will undertake t
pcst the letters to him at once.
He considered the offer, cycling III,
tie willie with the same disfayor wlIicl
he had exhibited in the drawing-room
It last he said slowly g Ii you Will d
ihat?"
Il will" u repeated. Il will do
Immediately"
He gave me the direction Georg
Ritherdon, at the London and North
western Hotel, Liverpool, " and in re
turn gave him my own name and ad
dress. Then l parted from him, wit
civil goodnight on either side-an
little liking, ] fancy-the clocks strikin
,pidn;oht and the servants coming i